It is important to point out that these figures cannot be assumed to be exact for either side. The British forces numbered exactly as defined, but often their effective fighting force was reduced by illness, battle losses and desertion.

As for the Continental units, Baron von Steuben was quoted as stating:

"the words company, regiment, brigade, and division were so vague that they did not convey any idea upon which to form a calculation, either of a particular corps or of the army in general. They were so unequal in numbers that it would have been impossible to execute any maneuver."

However, he did institute standard definitions of unit compositions in the reorganization of the Continental Army in May of 1778.